Wednesday, August 31, 2011

An Update on the Sheep

I haven't had any sheep related posts the last few weeks so I thought I would give ya'll an update.

The sheep are currently up in the high country and will be there until early October.
You know...when I help trail them down aka my unintentional half marathon last year!

I was able to take my family up there a few weeks ago. It just so happened J needed to move camp while mi familia were in town and I jumped at the opportunity. We also took an unplanned trip up there the next week to pick up one of our herders. More on that in a sec.

The sheep look good. Really good. They are grazing away, loving their lives.

It's beautiful up there.
 Here comes Gringo to say hello!

Let me give you an idea of what it is like for our herders up on the mountain. They have no running water and the water they use is freezing cold. They sleep in tents in the middle of the forest and are  frequented by bear and coyotes (thank goodness for our awesome guard dogs!).

Now while they do have cell phones, the service is spotty and their battery has to last until the next "move". This is when J will bring their cell phone home and charge it. He takes it back to them the next move.

Their job up in the high country is to keep the sheep in a certain area (we'll go over this in a bit) and tend to them as needed.

Our Forest Service permits allow us to be at certain places on the mountain for a certain amount of time.

When our time is up (or there isn't enough feed) we move camp to the next location. "Camp" consists of our herder's supplies and sleeping quarters (tents). J goes up every week, takes our herders supplies and moves everything to the next spot. It's really a tedious process.

For instance, today J moved camp. He left at 7:00 this morning and spends hours on the 4 wheeler taking in supplies (since obviously we can't drive right to the "campsite"). It was a long day for him.

It's 11pm and he literally just walked in the door.

Some trips he'll trade out dogs. Today he took Nell to the mountain and brought Sage home. Duke and Nell, our newest pups are spending their first summer up on the mountain. Hopefully they learn the ropes!

J also brings me an update on how things are going. He is sure to tell me how all the dogs are doing - Wito, Embre and Gringo are the guard dogs currently up there. They are doing a good job keeping the bear and coyote away. Daniel says we've had bear and coyote almost every night. Yikes!

I am proud to say that I've gotten him in the habit of putting some treats in his pocket for the dogs on "Camp Moving" days.

If only I can get him in the habit of packing a lunch and a Nalgeen. He came home super dehydrated and starving.

Wordless Wednesdays - Can I help you with something?


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Family Trip to the Farmers Market

One thing I love about summer is the Farmer's Market.
A few weeks ago we took a family trip to the Farmer's Market here in town and walked away with some delicious fruit.
We took a walk on a nearby trail and Jiggy got to cool off in the pond. She loved it.
Summer has been good to us this year.

It's sad to see it come to an end.

{What is one of your summer highlights?}

Friday, August 26, 2011

{Flaco} May He Rest in Peace.

Yesterday was a sad day at Rambling Ewe Ranch.

Flaco, one of Pop's beloved horses died.

Although I've only had a relationship with Flaco for a little over a year, my heart is sad. He was a part of the "outfit" and has worked hard for Pop for many years.


When Pop started the operation in the early 80's he used Flaco (and Blitz) to carry supplies for our herders up on the summer range. Flaco spent the last few years hanging out on the ranch and enjoying life.

Blitz is definitely mourning. He neighed all afternoon and well into the evening. I don't really know how to console a horse, he wanted nothing to do with the apples I took him. I'll go back out tonight and see if he'll let me brush him. Any ideas?

Flaco was a good worker, a great companion to Blitzy and very beautiful to look at. He will be missed.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Ultimate Cuteness.

As you know, we got two new Great Pyrenees pups this past weekend.

When we drove up to see them, my heart melted. They are the cutest little things ever. Well aside from these two cute pups and this courageous guard dog and this little guy. Okay...I can go on and on.

Meet Mac. 
He's a courageous fellow and he's ready to explore. He wants to play every chance he gets! I have a feeling he is going to be a great protector.

 


This is Dottie. 
Dottie is a little more reserved than her brother, but she is opening up more and more each day! She's alert and that can never be a bad thing for ranch dogs!

....and so two more dogs make 14! 


I am so in love with these two. 

Mutton Mondays - The U.S. is thirsty.

If you are a reader of my blog then chances are you read other farming and ranching blogs and you know the land is thirsty.
Image from www.ourcoloradonews.com

We have been so lucky to have our creeks running with water all summer, but our neighbors have not been so lucky. There are twenty seven counties in Colorado that are on the Colorado Disaster Designation list.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has deemed these Colorado counties along with hundreds across the country worthy of assistance and will help offset some of these ranchers and farmers’ losses due to the dry conditions.

The following is from a recent Farm Bureau article:
40 percent of the states faced abnormal dryness or drought. Hardest hit is Texas, which is battling its third-worst drought in state history.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said more than 2 million acres of Texas farmland has been abandoned due to the drought.

People are abandoning their land, selling their livestock and are calling their 2011 farm crop a total loss. That just break my heart. I can’t imagine. 

I’ve learned that people do not ranch or farm for the money, they ranch or farm because they truly love the lifestyle and selling their livestock or losing their entire crop is heartbreaking.

This is one of the many stresses I have learned comes with this lifestyle. 

There will either always be too much rain or not enough rain. There is either a good year or a bad year. There is no gray area in ranching and farming and this is a tough thing to swallow.

I thank God every day that we are on our way to having a good year. I know this isn’t going to be a yearly guarantee and I know our situation could change tomorrow. I know there will be years that we lose our shirts and I know how those in the disaster area could have so easily been us.

Today and every day I am counting our blessings. We have been so lucky.

Sources: here,  here and here

Friday, August 19, 2011

More Dogs?

Yes, please!!

 
My friends, our dog count at the ranch is growing from 12 to 14.

J just called and told me we are picking two Great Pyrenees pups up in the morning.

I am so excited!

 
I'll be sure to post pictures, but for now I just had to share my fabulous news!

Don't care so much.

I remember my first visit to the ranch - it was September of 2005 and I came here to attend the fall festival and to meet J's parents. I had a cute outfit picked out, it was going to be great.

Then, the airline decided to lose my luggage. It was as if God was trying to teach me a lesson...don't care so much.

I ended up wearing the same pair of gauchos for a few days, flip flops and a t-shirt my mother-in-law gave me. I felt so out of place and uncomfortable. I bought underwear and a bra at the local Wal-mart and a really expensive skirt at a boutique since there was no mall nearby. Looking back I know now that I shouldn't have cared so much. 

Anyway, despite the awful beginning and after this city girl loosened up a bit I was able to enjoy the festival, the animals and J's family. I fell in love. With J and the area.

One funny thing I remember is seeing (what has become) my favorite tree for the first time.
This is the picture I took of said tree during my first visit to the ranch.

At the time it was a quick glance, hence the blurry picture. I didn't know how to appreciate scenery then, but every time I see that tree standing there on that hill I think of my first visit to the ranch. I think of that visit and when I first experienced the love I was embraced with (dirty gauchos and all). It reminds me to let go. It reminds me to loosen up, enjoy the surroundings and to notice the fresh air, blue skies and green all around.

This tree reminds me that no one cares about what you are wearing or how well you are accessorized and if they do, you shouldn't care anyway.

It makes me happy and takes me back to the beginning of our relationship.  The beginning of so much for me.

Seems like a lot for one lone tree to do, but it does it. Every single time. 
I'm going to shamelessly say that there is no editing done to this photo. This is all me and the settings, baby! ;)


Happy Friday my friends! 
Have a beautiful weekend.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Sleeping Single in a Double Bed.

It's haying season and our tractor only plays cassette tapes.

Unfortunately, J and I both the world stopped buying cassette tapes and made the switch to cds about, I dunno ten years ago?

Needless to say our cassette tape collection is non-existent. There is one cassette tape around these parts and it lives in the baler's tape deck. It's been in the baler's tape deck for a very long time. A very long time.

You might be wondering how I know this and what the name is of the lone cassette tape?

Well, I know this because J comes in every night singing and whistling the same tune from said cassette tape. It is pretty catchy, I'll give him that, but still quite annoying.

Take it away Barbara....


He's going to soon find himself sleeping single in the guest room.

I'm looking forward to whenever it is that haying season ends!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesdays - Tiny and Shiny.





Jigs got her left Carnassial tooth pulled and it turns out she will eventually need a root canal on her left canine tooth. We also learned that Jigs might have a food allergy which would explain why her mood changes drastically every night after she eats dinner. We'll learn the results early next week. 

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts! I truly appreciate it.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

{a post for fellow pet lovers.}

My problem.
I love my Jigs way too much. I honestly don't think it's healthy.


She grunts and I worry she is uncomfortable.
Her tail stops wagging, I'm convinced she's depressed.
She doesn't want to cuddle and I start believing that she hates me.
She spends lots of time at her grandmother's house and I swear she doesn't like it here with us.
She doesn't eat her all her food and I think she's ill.
She yawns at me and it's official, she thinks I'm so lame.

It's ridiculous, I know. 

Here is the second part to my problem.
Jigs might need surgery and this has me very worried and sad. 

We take her in on Tuesday morning and if she needs surgery we'll be getting it done that same day. I know it's routine, but it makes my heart hurt.

The third part to the problem.
I don't know how we'll pay for it, but we will.

Fellow pet lovers, please tell me my pet paranoia isn't completely abnormal!

{What are your thoughts on pet insurance? Worth the investment?}

Monday, August 8, 2011

{and the Winners are...}

Thank you for the wonderful support over the past year! 
I'm glad you took the time to participate in my giveaways this past week and to all the sponsors... 

thank youthank you! thank you!



Without further ado....

Monday's Border Collie Card Set by Susan Allison Art winner is comment # 2:


Tuesday's winner of a Sheep Shaped Soap Bar and Knit Cloth made by Cedar Tree Farms is comment # 28 - Debbie of Ewenique Essentials!

Wednesday's winner of the Keep Calm And Count Sheep poster from Stay Gold Media is comment # 5 - Val!



Thursday's winner of the Lamb Earrings from Crafty Carnage is comment # 2 - Emery's Mom over at Our Life and Love Story!



Friday's winner of the Great Pyrenees magnet from Outside Peg's shop is comment #3 - Kristin from Domesticated Kris(tin).


Saturday's winner of JuJuBee's and Co.'s Little Lamb Headband and a 15% coupon code is comment #11 - Tara at Fleener Family!  
{Tara, be sure to tell me which of the three you'd like!}


Sunday's winner of the Black Sheep T-Shirt from Switch Designs NYC. is comment #12 - CWL!


Sunday's swinners of the Sheep Shaped Glycerin Soap from Lather & Lace are commenters #9 - Nancy at A Rural Journal and #12 - Jodi


{Congratulations to the winners and our awesome sponsors!}
Thank you everyone for participating!

If you are a winner, please contact me via the Let's Connect button and provide your shipping address. 
Please put the item you won in the subject. 
You have until Friday at midnight (MST) to claim your prize.
Thank you!! 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

{Blogiversary Giveaway #7} Sheep Shaped Soap

No, you aren't seeing things...this is the second giveaway of the day! 
It's the last day of the Blogiversary week so we have to go out with a bang, right?!

This giveaway is from Lather & Lace - it's Sheep Shaped Glycerin Soap!
Two people have a chance to win this giveaway item! Look how cute it looks all packaged up!


{I love to hear that people feel better in their own skin. - Lori Abercrombie}

Lori Abercrombie prides herself on her extensive research into special needs of skin care more so than creating the fanciest products.

“I like to say Lather & Lace is Mae West meets Martha Stewart! Sexy and playful, yet incredibly useful! For specific products, I get inspiration everywhere. I am also driven by my customers. Designs and scents come mostly from nature - Herbs, Fruit, Flowers."

Lori's dream is to reach people to the same degree as when she had a brick and mortar store – where people feel comfortable to call and talk about their skin concern. 

Want one? Here's how.

Please post a separate comment for each entry.
Mandatory Entry – head on over to Lather & Lace and come back and tell me what item is your favorite. This entry is mandatory and no others will count if this is not completed.

Additional Entries
1. Be a following of this blog.
2. Add Lather & Lace to your Etsy Favorites.

Winners will be announced on my one year blogiversary - Monday, August 8th.
Now, go back and enter Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday's giveaway!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.


{Blogiversary Giveaway #7} Black Sheep T-Shirt

One of the final giveaway items ending my blogiversary giveaway week is brought to you by the uniqueness that is Switch Designs NYC.

This shop has clever designs and are one of a kind. One of my favorites is...


Switch Designs NYC is giving away one of their most popular the Black Sheep T-Shirt. There is one in every family. A black sheep, that is.  ;) 

I claim it loud and proud in mi familia.


Here is how you enter.


Please leave one comment for each entry for multiple chances to win.
Mandatory Entry – head on over to Switch Designs NYC. and come back and tell me what item is your favorite. This entry is mandatory and no others will count if this is not completed.

Additional Entries
1. Be a follower of this blog.
2.  Like Switch Designs NYC on Facebook.
3.  Follow Switch Designs NYC on Twitter.

Winners will be announced on my one year blogiversary - Monday, August 8th.
Now, go back and enter Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday's giveaway!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.


Saturday, August 6, 2011

{Blogiversary Giveaway #6} Little Lamb Headband

The Blogiversary fun continues!
Are you having fun yet?

This giveaway makes me want a baby girl in my life! Just for a moment, anyway.

The creative genius behind this giveaway is Debbie of JuJuBee's and Co.

Are these Lamb Felt Headband the cutest thing you've ever seen or what?

One lucky person will be have their choice between these three headbands - two are a lamb print and one is an adorable little lamb face. Oh, I love it. They are darling!

The winner will also get a coupon code to JuJuBee's and Co.'s Etsy Shop for 15% off their first purchase! 



"JuJuBee's & Co. came about out of a need and a passion. I have always enjoyed some form of crafting, and now it has become a full-time job. My need was that I have a special needs child who requires me to be home when he is not at school. The added bonus is honestly the best, I am very blessed to get to know some wonderful people. Photographers, new moms, new grandmothers, and college students. I look forward to see what the future holds for JuJuBee's!"

Here are just a few more precious headbands Debbie has available.

Here is how you enter to win. 

Please leave one comment for each entry for multiple chances to win. 
Mandatory Entry – head on over to JuJuBee's and Co. and come back and tell me what items are your favorite. This entry is mandatory and no others will count if this is not completed.

Additional Entries
1. Be a follower of this blog.
2. Add JuJuBee's and Co. to your Etsy favorites.
3. Like JuJuBee's and Co. on Facebook.
4. Tell me who you want to win this for?

Winners will be announced on my one year blogiversary - Monday, August 8th.
Now, go back and enter Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's giveaway!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.


Friday, August 5, 2011

{Blogiversary Giveaway #5} Great Pyrenees

It's Friday already?!  
What animal on the ranch is being honored in today's giveaway??

Here are a few hints.

Tank
Embre

Joe

Scout

You guessed it, my Great Pyrenees friends!

The winner of this giveaway will win a Great Pyrenees magnet.
Do you just love it?
I had such a hard time picking a favorite.

Here are some others from Outside Peg's shop!

Outside Peg is an awesome shop for all dog lovers and more! You must go and check out the goods!

Here is how you enter. 
Please leave one comment for each entry for multiple chances to win. 

Mandatory Entry – head on over to Outside Peg and come back and tell me what item is your favorite. This entry is mandatory and no others will count if this is not completed.

Additional Entries
1. Be a follower of this blog.
2. Like Outside Peg on Facebook
3. Follow Outside Peg on Twitter
4. Add Outside Peg to your Etsy Favorites. 


Winners will be announced on my one year blogiversary - Monday, August 8th.
don't forget to enter the giveaways from Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! :)
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.